Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Spalding Drive namesakes and history

In Lois Coogle’s 1981 book, “More of Sandy Springs Past Tense”, she documents a portion of Spalding family history for which the road is named. The history comes from her interview with Atlanta Journal editor Jack Spalding.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

The women of the early DeKalb County library

The Decatur Library was first established in 1925 in the Decatur Bank & Trust Company Building. Later it operated in City Hall. Maud Burrus was one of the women who served as a part time Decatur librarian during that time until 1930 when she became full-time librarian.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Tuggle airfield in Decatur

Manget tells some history of Camp Gordon and Naval Air Station Atlanta as well as aviation history for DeKalb County. He explains that at one time DeKalb County had three airports, Gunn Airfield, DeKalb Peachtree, and Stone Mountain

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

The shopping experience of 1965, Briarcliff Village

A grand opening ceremony was held at the new Briarcliff Village on Thursday, March 25, 1965. A full page ad in the March 24, 1965 Atlanta Journal announced the new shopping center with details about the 26 stores and services. The ad describes Briarcliff Village as “set amid an intimate courtyard.”

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Dr. Jack Schreeder and Dee Schreeder of Chamblee

Dr. Schreeder served during World War II in the Mediterranean and European theaters and was awarded the Bronze Star and French War Cross. After the war, he attended Emory University Medical School. He did his residency at Grady Memorial Hospital and Lawson General Hospital in Chamblee. Then he joined Dr. W. A. Mendenhall’s office and small hospital in Chamblee.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Dunwoody's early laboratory and pharmacist-Eureka!

When Dunwoody Methodist Church contructed a new sanctuary in 1970, a small tin salve box was discovered in the ground.  The box read “Eureka Ointment, Eureka Laboratory, Dunwoody Georgia.  Price 25 cents.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Prospect Methodist and Prosperity Presbyterian Churches in Chamblee

According to Vivian Price Saffold’s History of DeKalb County, the congregation of Prospect Methodist Church gathered in a log building located behind the existing church as early as 1827.  The 1885 church was originally built with two entrances, one for women and one for men, which was common at that time.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Jett Ferry and the Jett family

One of the ferries was run by the Jett family. James Jett and Rosanna Gregory Jett brought their family from South Carolina to Georgia around 1810. The couple had ten children. According to “Roswell: A Pictorial History,” James Jett began operating a ferry in 1819.   

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Jewish soldiers at Chamblee's World War I Camp Gordon

A building constructed for Jewish soldiers at World War I Camp Gordon in Chamblee was completed October 1, 1918. It was known as the Little White House and was sponsored by the Jewish Welfare Board.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Charlie Agnew, Lawson General Hospital 1943

Private Agnew reported to Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia in August, 1943, but by September 1943 he was injured during basic training. The accident involved an obstacle course.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Chamblee Plaza shopping center opens 1960

The new shopping plaza included a Woolworth’s, Colonial Groceries, W. T. Grant, Jacob’s Drug Store, Kroger, Bellman Jewelers, Elliot’s Barber Shop, Corn Cabin, Economy Auto, and Excelsior Laundry.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

December 8, 1941 fire destroys Chamblee High School

According to an Atlanta Constitution article, Chamblee School Building Destroyed in $75,000 Fire, December 9, 1941, the fire took place on December 8th and started in the school laboratory.  

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